Data Governance Archives - gettectonic.com

08Dec

Business Intelligence and AI

AI in Business Intelligence: Uses, Benefits, and Challenges AI tools are increasingly becoming integral to Business Intelligence (BI) systems, enhancing analytics capabilities and streamlining tasks. In this article, we explore how AI can bring new value to BI processes and what to consider as this integration continues to evolve. AI’s Role in Business Intelligence Business Intelligence tools, such as dashboards and interactive reports, have traditionally focused on analyzing historical and current data to describe business performance—known as descriptive analytics. While valuable, many business users seek more than just a snapshot of past performance. They also want predictive insights (forecasting future trends) and prescriptive guidance (recommendations for action). Historically, implementing these advanced capabilities was challenging due to their complexity, but AI simplifies this process. By leveraging AI’s analytical power and natural language processing (NLP), businesses can move from descriptive to predictive and prescriptive analytics, enabling proactive decision-making. AI-powered BI systems also offer the advantage of real-time data analysis, providing up-to-date insights that help businesses respond quickly to changing conditions. Additionally, AI can automate routine tasks, boosting efficiency across business operations. Benefits of Using AI in BI Initiatives The integration of AI into BI systems brings several key benefits, including: Examples of AI Applications in BI AI’s role in BI is not limited to internal process improvements. It can significantly enhance customer experience (CX) and support business growth. Here are a few examples: Challenges of Implementing AI in BI While the potential for AI in BI is vast, there are several challenges companies must address: Best Practices for Deploying AI in BI To maximize the benefits of AI in BI, companies should follow these best practices: Future Trends to Watch AI is not poised to replace traditional BI tools but to augment them with new capabilities. In the future, we can expect: In conclusion, AI is transforming business intelligence by turning data analysis from a retrospective activity into a forward-looking, real-time process. While challenges remain, such as data governance, ethical concerns, and skill shortages, AI’s potential to enhance BI systems and drive business success is undeniable. By following best practices and staying abreast of industry developments, businesses can harness AI to unlock new opportunities and deliver better insights. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more Top Ten Reasons Why Tectonic Loves the Cloud The Cloud is Good for Everyone – Why Tectonic loves the cloud You don’t need to worry about tracking licenses. Read more

December 8, 2024in AI Tools, Data, Generative AI0 Comments

22Nov

Salesforce Data Governance

Salesforce Data Governance Best Practices Salesforce provides a centralized platform for managing customer relationships, but without proper data governance, the system can quickly become unmanageable. Data governance ensures the accuracy, security, and usability of the vast amounts of information collected, helping teams make better decisions and maximizing the value of Salesforce investments. By establishing robust processes and policies, organizations can maintain clean, compliant, and reliable data. Here’s an overview of data governance in Salesforce, its importance, and strategies to implement it effectively. What Is Data Governance in Salesforce? Data governance in Salesforce refers to the practices that monitor and manage data accuracy, security, and compliance. Proper governance ensures your Salesforce data remains trustworthy and actionable, avoiding issues like errors, duplicates, and regulatory violations. Key Components of Salesforce Data Governance: Strong governance enables organizations to make informed decisions and unlock Salesforce’s full potential. The Impact of Data Governance on Decision-Making Accurate and well-governed data empowers leaders to make strategic, data-driven decisions. With clean and current records, organizations can: Good governance ensures data integrity, leading to smarter decisions and improved business performance. Principles of Effective Salesforce Data Governance Building a strong data governance framework starts with these core principles: 1. Data Ownership Assign clear ownership of datasets to specific individuals, teams, or departments. Owners are accountable for maintaining data quality, ensuring compliance, and resolving issues efficiently. Benefits include: 2. Monitoring and Compliance Conduct regular audits to ensure data accuracy, detect unauthorized access, and maintain compliance with regulations. Tools like Salesforce’s built-in monitoring features or third-party solutions (e.g., Validity DemandTools) can streamline this process. Audit checks should include: Consistent monitoring safeguards sensitive data and avoids costly fines, particularly in heavily regulated industries like healthcare and finance. Steps to Develop a Data Governance Strategy Techniques for Maintaining High-Quality Data High-quality data is the backbone of Salesforce governance. Apply these techniques to ensure your data meets quality standards: Standardizing Data for Better Governance Data standardization ensures consistency across Salesforce records, improving analysis and operational efficiency. Examples include: Leveraging Data Management Tools Data management tools are essential for maintaining data integrity and enhancing governance. Benefits include: By integrating these tools into your Salesforce processes, you can establish a solid foundation for data governance while boosting operational efficiency. Final Thoughts Effective data governance in Salesforce is critical for maintaining data quality, ensuring compliance, and empowering teams to make strategic decisions. By following best practices and leveraging the right tools, organizations can maximize the value of their Salesforce investment and drive long-term success. Like1 Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

November 22, 2024in Data, Salesforce, Technology0 Comments

21Nov

Collaborative Business Intelligence

Collaborative BI combines BI tools with collaboration platforms, enabling users to connect data insights directly within their existing workflows. This integration enhances decision-making by reducing misunderstandings and fostering teamwork through real-time or asynchronous discussions about data. In traditional BI, data analysis was handled by data scientists and statisticians who translated insights for business users. However, the rise of self-service BI tools has democratized data access, allowing users of varying technical skills to create and share visualizations. Collaborative BI takes this a step further by embedding BI functions into collaboration platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams. This setup allows users to ask questions, clarify context, and share reports within the same applications they already use, enhancing data-driven decisions across the organization. One real-life time saver in my experience is being able as a marketer to dig in to our BI and generate lists myself, without depending upon a team of data scientists. Benefits of Collaborative BI Leading Collaborative BI Platforms Several vendors offer collaborative BI solutions, each with unique integrations for communication and data sharing: Collaborative BI bridges data analysis with organizational collaboration, creating an agile environment for informed decision-making and effective knowledge sharing across all levels. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

November 21, 2024in Data, Salesforce0 Comments

12Nov

Enterprises are Adopting AI-powered Automation Platforms

The rapid pace of AI technological advancement is placing immense pressure on teams, often leading to disagreements due to the unrealistic expectations businesses have for the speed and agility of new technology implementation. A staggering 88% of IT professionals report that they are unable to keep up with the flood of AI-related requests within their organizations. Executives from UiPath, Salesforce, ServiceNow, and ManageEngine offer insights into how enterprises can navigate these challenges. Leading enterprises are adopting AI-powered automation platforms that understand, automate, and manage end-to-end processes. These platforms integrate seamlessly with existing enterprise technologies, using AI to reduce friction, eliminate inefficiencies, and enable teams to achieve business goals faster, with greater accuracy and efficiency. This year’s innovation drivers include tools such as Intelligent Document Processing, Communications Mining, Process and Task Mining, and Automated Testing. “Automation is the best path to deliver on AI’s potential, seamlessly integrating intelligence into daily operations, automating backend processes, upskilling employees, and revolutionizing industries,” says Mark Gibbs, EMEA President, UiPath. Jessica Constantinidis, Innovation Officer EMEA at ServiceNow, explains, “Intelligent Automation blends Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML) with well-defined processes to automate decision-making outcomes.” “Hyperautomation provides a business-driven, disciplined approach that enterprises can use to make informed decisions quickly by analyzing process and data feedback within the organization,” adds Constantinidis. Thierry Nicault, AVP and General Manager at Salesforce Middle East, emphasizes that while companies are eager to embrace AI, the pace of change often leads to confusion and stifles innovation. He notes, “By deploying AI and Hyperintelligent Automation tools, organizations can enhance productivity, visibility, and operational transformation.” Automation is driving growth and innovation across industries. AI-powered tools are simplifying processes, improving business revenues, and contributing to economic diversification. Ramprakash Ramamoorthy, Director of AI Research at ManageEngine, highlights how Hyperintelligent Automation, powered by AI, uses tools like Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Intelligent Document Processing to detect anomalies, forecast business trends, and empower decision-making. The IT Pushback Despite enthusiasm for AI, IT professionals are raising concerns. A Salesforce survey revealed that 88% of IT professionals feel overwhelmed by the influx of AI-related requests, with many citing resource constraints, data security concerns, and data quality issues. Business stakeholders often have unrealistic expectations about how quickly new technologies can be implemented, creating friction. According to Constantinidis of ServiceNow, many organizations lack transparency across their business units, making it difficult to fully understand their processes. As a result, automating processes becomes challenging. She adds, “Before full hyperautomation is possible, issues like data validation, classification, and privacy must be prioritized.” Automation platforms need accurate data, and governance is crucial in managing what data is used for AI models. “You need AI skills to teach and feed the data, and you also need a data specialist to clean up your data lake,” Constantinidis explains. Gibbs from UiPath stresses that automation must be designed in collaboration with the business users who understand the processes and systems. Once deployed, a feedback loop ensures continuous improvement and refinement of automated workflows. Ramamoorthy from ManageEngine notes that adopting Hyperintelligent Automation alongside existing workflows poses challenges. Enterprises must evaluate their technology stack, considering the costs, skills required, and the potential benefits. Strategic Integration of AI and Automation To successfully implement Hyperintelligent Automation tools, enterprises need a blend of IT and business skills. Mark Gibbs of UiPath points out, “These skills ensure organizations can effectively implement, manage, and optimize hyperintelligent technologies, aligning them with organizational goals.” Salesforce’s Nicault adds, “Enterprises must empower both IT and business teams to embrace AI, fostering innovation while ensuring the technology delivers real value.” Business skills are equally crucial, including strategic planning, process analysis, and change management. Ramamoorthy emphasizes that these competencies help identify automation opportunities and align them with business goals. According to Bassel Khachfeh, Digital Solutions Manager at Omnix, automation must be implemented with a focus on regulatory and compliance needs specific to the industry. This approach ensures the technology supports future growth and innovation. Transforming Customer Experiences and Business Operations As automation evolves, it’s transforming not only back-end processes but also customer experiences and decision-making at every level. Constantinidis from ServiceNow explains that hyperintelligence enables enterprises to predict outcomes and avert crises by trusting AI’s data accuracy. Gibbs from UiPath adds that automation allows enterprises to unlock untapped opportunities, speeding up the transformation of manual processes and enhancing business efficiency. AI is already making an impact in areas like supply chain management, regulatory compliance, and customer-facing processes. Ramamoorthy of ManageEngine notes that AI-powered NLP is revolutionizing enterprise chatbots and document processing, enabling businesses to automate complex workflows like invoice handling and sentiment analysis. Khachfeh from Omnix highlights how Cognitive Automation platforms elevate RPA by integrating AI-driven capabilities, such as NLP and Optical Character Recognition (OCR), to further streamline operations. Looking Ahead Hyperintelligent Automation, driven by AI, is set to revolutionize industries by enhancing efficiency, driving innovation, and enabling smarter decision-making. Enterprises that strategically adopt these tools—by integrating IT and business expertise, prioritizing data governance, and continuously refining their automated workflows—will be best positioned to navigate the complexities of AI and achieve sustainable growth. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

November 12, 2024in Agentforce Platform, Artificial Intelligence, Data, Enterprise, Salesforce, Technology0 Comments

12Nov

Snowflake Security and Development

Snowflake Unveils AI Development and Enhanced Security Features At its annual Build virtual developer conference, Snowflake introduced a suite of new capabilities focused on AI development and strengthened security measures. These enhancements aim to simplify the creation of conversational AI tools, improve collaboration, and address data security challenges following a significant breach earlier this year. AI Development Updates Snowflake announced updates to its Cortex AI suite to streamline the development of conversational AI applications. These new tools focus on enabling faster, more efficient development while ensuring data integrity and trust. Highlights include: These features address enterprise demands for generative AI tools that boost productivity while maintaining governance over proprietary data. Snowflake aims to eliminate barriers to data-driven decision-making by enabling natural language queries and easy integration of structured and unstructured data into AI models. According to Christian Kleinerman, Snowflake’s EVP of Product, the goal is to reduce the time it takes for developers to build reliable, cost-effective AI applications: “We want to help customers build conversational applications for structured and unstructured data faster and more efficiently.” Security Enhancements Following a breach last May, where hackers accessed customer data via stolen login credentials, Snowflake has implemented new security features: These additions come alongside existing tools like the Horizon Catalog for data governance. Kleinerman noted that while Snowflake’s previous security measures were effective at preventing unauthorized access, the company recognizes the need to improve user adoption of these tools: “It’s on us to ensure our customers can fully leverage the security capabilities we offer. That’s why we’re adding more monitoring, insights, and recommendations.” Collaboration Features Snowflake is also enhancing collaboration through its new Internal Marketplace, which enables organizations to share data, AI tools, and applications across business units. The Native App Framework now integrates with Snowpark Container Services to simplify the distribution and monetization of analytics and AI products. AI Governance and Competitive Position Industry analysts highlight the growing importance of AI governance as enterprises increasingly adopt generative AI tools. David Menninger of ISG’s Ventana Research emphasized that Snowflake’s governance-focused features, such as LLM observability, fill a critical gap in AI tooling: “Trustworthy AI enhancements like model explainability and observability are vital as enterprises scale their use of AI.” With these updates, Snowflake continues to compete with Databricks and other vendors. Its strategy focuses on offering both API-based flexibility for developers and built-in tools for users seeking simpler solutions. By combining innovative AI development tools with robust security and collaboration features, Snowflake aims to meet the evolving needs of enterprises while positioning itself as a leader in the data platform and AI space. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more Top Ten Reasons Why Tectonic Loves the Cloud The Cloud is Good for Everyone – Why Tectonic loves the cloud You don’t need to worry about tracking licenses. Read more

November 12, 2024in AI Tools, Data, Enterprise, Generative AI, Snowflake0 Comments

08Nov

Handling Duplicate Phone Numbers in Salesforce Automations

I’m working with a list of customers in Salesforce, where duplicate detection is enabled for the phone field. When manually creating a new customer with an existing phone number, Salesforce displays a warning prompt asking if I want to proceed. The warning doesn’t block the save; it simply alerts me to the duplicate. However, when attempting to insert a record with the same phone number using MAKE, I encounter the following error: RuntimeError[400]: A duplicate record was found. Are you sure you want to create the record? This indicates that the automation is being blocked due to the duplicate detection rules. Solution Options Here are a few strategies to address this and allow the record to be inserted: Best Practices If you need help setting up any of these solutions, let Tectonic know! Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

November 8, 2024in Data, Salesforce

07Nov

AI Data Privacy and Security

Three Key Generative AI Data Privacy and Security Concerns The rise of generative AI is reshaping the digital landscape, introducing powerful tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot into the hands of professionals, students, and casual users alike. From creating AI-generated art to summarizing complex texts, generative AI (GenAI) is transforming workflows and sparking innovation. However, for information security and privacy professionals, this rapid proliferation also brings significant challenges in data governance and protection. Below are three critical data privacy and security concerns tied to generative AI: 1. Who Owns the Data? Data ownership is a contentious issue in the age of generative AI. In the European Union, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) asserts that individuals own their personal data. In contrast, data ownership laws in the United States are less clear-cut, with recent state-level regulations echoing GDPR’s principles but failing to resolve ambiguity. Generative AI often ingests vast amounts of data, much of which may not belong to the person uploading it. This creates legal risks for both users and AI model providers, especially when third-party data is involved. Cases surrounding intellectual property, such as controversies involving Slack, Reddit, and LinkedIn, highlight public resistance to having personal data used for AI training. As lawsuits in this arena emerge, prior intellectual property rulings could shape the legal landscape for generative AI. 2. What Data Can Be Derived from LLM Output? Generative AI models are designed to be helpful, but they can inadvertently expose sensitive or proprietary information submitted during training. This risk has made many wary of uploading critical data into AI models. Techniques like tokenization, anonymization, and pseudonymization can reduce these risks by obscuring sensitive data before it is fed into AI systems. However, these practices may compromise the model’s performance by limiting the quality and specificity of the training data. Advocates for GenAI stress that high-quality, accurate data is essential to achieving the best results, which adds to the complexity of balancing privacy with performance. 3. Can the Output Be Trusted? The phenomenon of “hallucinations” — when generative AI produces incorrect or fabricated information — poses another significant concern. Whether these errors stem from poor training, flawed data, or malicious intent, they raise questions about the reliability of GenAI outputs. The impact of hallucinations varies depending on the context. While some errors may cause minor inconveniences, others could have serious or even dangerous consequences, particularly in sensitive domains like healthcare or legal advisory. As generative AI continues to evolve, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of its outputs will remain a top priority. The Generative AI Data Governance Imperative Generative AI’s transformative power lies in its ability to leverage vast amounts of information. For information security, data privacy, and governance professionals, this means grappling with key questions, such as: With high stakes and no way to reverse intellectual property violations, the need for robust data governance frameworks is urgent. As society navigates this transformative era, balancing innovation with responsibility will determine whether generative AI becomes a tool for progress or a source of new challenges. While generative AI heralds a bold future, history reminds us that groundbreaking advancements often come with growing pains. It is the responsibility of stakeholders to anticipate and address these challenges to ensure a safer and more equitable AI-powered world. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more Top Ten Reasons Why Tectonic Loves the Cloud The Cloud is Good for Everyone – Why Tectonic loves the cloud You don’t need to worry about tracking licenses. Read more

November 7, 2024in Data, Generative AI, Laws

27Oct

AI Strategy for Your Business

How to Create a Winning AI Strategy for Your Business To maximize the value of AI, organizations must align their AI projects with strategic business objectives. Here’s a 10-step guide to crafting an effective AI strategy, including sample templates to support your planning. While AI adoption is on the rise, many companies still struggle to unlock its full potential. According to the 2024 IDC report Scaling AI Initiatives Responsibly, even organizations with advanced AI practices, termed “AI Masters,” face a 13% failure rate, while those still emerging in AI see a 20% failure rate. Challenges such as poor data quality and cultural resistance often contribute to these failures. To avoid these pitfalls, companies need to adopt a more deliberate and strategic approach to AI implementation. As Nick Kramer from SSA & Company states, “It’s not just about implementing the right technology; a lot of work needs to be done beforehand to succeed with AI.” What is an AI Strategy and Why is it Important? An AI strategy unifies all necessary components—such as data, technology, and talent—required to achieve business goals through AI. This includes: A well-designed AI strategy sets clear directions on how AI should be leveraged to achieve optimal outcomes within the organization. 10 Steps to Craft a Successful AI Strategy Resources for AI Strategy Templates If you’re ready to start building your AI strategy, here are several resources offering templates and guidance: By following these steps and utilizing the right resources, businesses can ensure they capture AI in ways that align with their strategic goals and maximize their competitive edge. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more Alphabet Soup of Cloud Terminology As with any technology, the cloud brings its own alphabet soup of terms. This insight will hopefully help you navigate Read more

October 27, 2024in Data, Generative AI, Technology

17Oct

Deploying Salesforce Einstein Copilot

Best Practices for Safely Deploying Salesforce Einstein Copilot When deploying Salesforce Einstein Copilot, following best practices ensures a secure, efficient, and effective integration of AI into your workflows. Here are the key steps to safely deploy Einstein Copilot: By adhering to these best practices, you can ensure a smooth, secure, and successful deployment of Salesforce Einstein Copilot, enhancing your team’s productivity while maintaining data integrity and security. Like1 Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

October 17, 2024in Data, Salesforce, Salesforce Einstein

14Oct

Gap Between Data and Decisions

Bridging the Gap Between Data and Decisions One of the biggest challenges in enterprise technology is the fragmentation of data across various systems, commonly referred to as data silos. Salesforce research shows that 81% of IT leaders believe these silos prevent their organizations from fully utilizing data, while 94% of business leaders feel they should be extracting more value from their data. Despite the wealth of available information, only 30% of employees report using data to make decisions. Tableau Einstein addresses this challenge by enabling self-service analytics through a unified metadata framework. This framework ensures consistent data definitions and structures across an organization, allowing data architects and analysts to create semantic models. These models simplify complex datasets, making them more accessible to business users. Additionally, the platform integrates AI-powered agents into the data authoring process, automatically suggesting relationships between data objects and providing business context to improve the reliability of insights. Integrating AI for Proactive Insights Southard Jones, Chief Product Officer of Tableau, highlights the need for analytics tools to deliver proactive and autonomous insights within users’ workflows. “Employees often miss critical insights because they lack the time or expertise to analyze complex data sets,” Jones said. “With predictive and generative AI, Tableau Einstein can explore your data and surface insights you might not have considered.” Features like Pulse and Tableau Agent provide insights within familiar platforms like Salesforce, Slack, and third-party applications such as Workday. For example, a manager using Workday might receive real-time notifications about team performance metrics or potential indicators of employee attrition, allowing for timely intervention. Enhancing Trust Through Transparency Building trust in data analytics is key to adoption. Tableau Einstein introduces Tableau Semantics, which acts as a bridge between raw data and business terminology. “With Tableau Semantics, we provide clear explanations and data lineage, showing users exactly how metrics are created,” Jones explained. This transparency demystifies complex calculations, making it easier for users to understand metrics like campaign ROI. By aligning technical data with business understanding, the platform seeks to make analytics more accessible and trustworthy. Potential Challenges While AI-driven analytics holds great promise, it raises questions about data privacy, implementation complexity, and the learning curve for employees. Although AI-powered insights can revolutionize how organizations use data, it’s essential to address data governance concerns and ensure employees are trained to interpret AI-generated insights accurately. The competitive landscape for AI analytics tools is growing, with alternatives like Microsoft’s Power BI offering similar capabilities. Organizations will need to compare Tableau Einstein with other options in terms of features, integration potential, and overall cost. Facilitating Collaboration and Customization Tableau Einstein’s open, API-driven architecture enables developers to create customized analytical agents tailored to specific enterprise needs. “By opening our APIs, we allow developers to interact with the platform programmatically,” Jones noted. This flexibility supports the creation of custom analytics solutions that can seamlessly integrate with other business applications. The platform also introduces marketplace capabilities for sharing and discovering data models and analytics assets, fostering collaboration and innovation while reducing redundant efforts across organizations. Real-World Applications and Early Feedback Early adopters are already exploring how Tableau Einstein enhances decision-making processes. Leslie Bercher, Senior Director of Performance Marketing & Analytics at Arvest Bank, noted, “Embedding these insights into our daily applications empowers teams to make informed decisions quickly. It’s not just about data; it’s about having actionable insights when and where we need them.” Despite the potential, adopting advanced analytics tools may require investment in training and change management to ensure successful implementation. Without the right support, organizations may struggle to unlock the full potential of these technologies. Looking Ahead: The Future of AI-Powered Analytics Tableau Einstein is available through Tableau+, with future integrations planned across Salesforce products, including Sales, Service, Marketing, and Commerce Cloud. Salesforce is offering expert guidance, migration support, and a reimagined partner network to help businesses adopt the platform efficiently. As companies continue their digital transformation journeys, AI-powered analytics tools like Tableau Einstein will be pivotal in making data more accessible and actionable. Success will depend on how well organizations address challenges related to data privacy, employee training, and system integration. “The autonomous revolution in analytics is just beginning,” Jones observed. “The key will be how companies use these tools to gain insights and drive strategic actions that lead to measurable business outcomes.” Salesforce’s launch of Tableau Einstein marks a significant step in democratizing data analytics within organizations. By embedding AI-driven insights into daily workflows and increasing transparency in data metrics, the platform has the potential to transform operations. However, realizing this potential will require thoughtful implementation, strong employee engagement, and ongoing support. As AI and analytics evolve, companies that harness these technologies effectively will gain a competitive advantage in a data-driven world. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

October 14, 2024in Generative AI

06Oct

Ethical AI Implementation

AI technologies are rapidly evolving, becoming a practical solution to support essential business operations. However, creating true business value from AI requires a well-balanced approach that considers people, processes, and technology. Ethical AI Implementation. AI encompasses various forms, including machine learning, deep learning, predictive analytics, natural language processing, computer vision, and automation. To leverage AI’s competitive advantages, companies need a strong foundation and a realistic strategy aligned with their business goals. “Artificial intelligence is multifaceted,” said John Carey, managing director at AArete, a business management consultancy. “There’s often hype and, at times, exaggeration about how ‘intelligent’ AI truly is.” Business Advantages of AI Adoption Recent advancements in generative AI, such as ChatGPT and Dall-E, have showcased AI’s significant impact on businesses. According to a McKinsey Global Survey, global AI adoption surged from around 50% over the past six years to 72% in 2024. Some key benefits of adopting AI include: Prerequisites for AI Implementation Successfully implementing AI can be complex. A detailed understanding of the following prerequisites is crucial for achieving positive results: 13 Steps for Successful AI Implementation Common AI Implementation Mistakes Organizations often stumble by: Key Challenges in Ethical AI Implementation Human-related challenges often present the biggest hurdles. To overcome them, organizations must foster data literacy and build trust among stakeholders. Additionally, challenges around data management, model governance, system integration, and intellectual property need to be addressed. Ensuring Ethical AI Implementation To ensure responsible AI use, companies should: Ethical AI implementation requires a continuous commitment to transparency, fairness, and inclusivity across all levels of the organization. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

October 6, 2024in AI Tools, Artificial Intelligence, Data, Generative AI, Salesforce, Technology

01Oct

Data Governance in Salesforce

Use Case Highlights Introduction Salesforce is a powerful platform for building strong customer relationships. However, to maximize the value of your data, a strategic approach is essential. Unmanaged data can lead to inconsistencies, security vulnerabilities, and compliance issues, making it difficult to rely on Salesforce data for strategic decision-making. This data governance insight looks into data governance for Salesforce and highlights top tools that integrate seamlessly with the platform. While these tools are not exclusively built for Salesforce, they offer powerful features that enhance the accuracy, security, and regulatory compliance of your data. Implementing a data governance strategy with the right tools unlocks the hidden potential of your Salesforce data. Imagine making decisions based on reliable information, streamlining workflows, and maximizing data value—all possible with clean, trustworthy data at your fingertips. Disclaimer: The specific third-party security solutions mentioned in this insight are for informational purposes only and do not constitute endorsements by Tectonic. 6 Data Governance Tools for Salesforce Users Understanding the Importance of Data Governance in Salesforce Salesforce, a cornerstone for managing customer relationships, thrives on a rich data repository. However, unmanaged data growth can lead to inconsistencies, security vulnerabilities, and compliance hurdles, hindering the data’s potential to drive strategic decisions. Data governance goes beyond data management. It establishes principles and practices to ensure your Salesforce data is: Why is data governance crucial for Salesforce? Data governance transforms data from a potential liability into a strategic asset, driving informed decisions, fostering trust, and empowering your organization to achieve its goals. Key Challenges in Salesforce Data Governance Implementing robust data governance within Salesforce presents challenges: Evaluating Data Governance Tools for Salesforce Choosing the right data governance tool for Salesforce requires careful evaluation: Comparing Top Data Governance Solutions for Salesforce When comparing top data governance solutions, assess factors like features, pricing, scalability, and customer reviews. A comparison table can offer a quick overview of key features and differences between solutions. Product Key Features Pricing Collibra Centralized platform, business glossary management, data lineage tracking, access controls Starting at $170,000/year Dataedo Collaborative data catalog, data documentation, quality rules, improved data literacy Starting at $18,000/year Alation Data discovery and intelligence platform, searchable data catalog, business terms & data lineage Starting at $60,000/year OneTrust Data Governance AI-driven discovery & classification, integrated catalog, governance policy management Contact for pricing Talend Data Fabric Data quality checks, automated metadata management, data inventory & Trust Score, stewardship workflows Starting at $12,000/year Informatica Axon AI-powered discovery & quality assessment, stewardship communication, curated marketplaces, common dictionary Contact for pricing Data Governance in Salesforce This table provides a snapshot of key features and pricing, helping organizations make informed decisions based on their needs and budget. Reach out to Tectonic if you need assistance. Tectonic’s Remarks This insight has provided the knowledge to harness the true potential of your Salesforce data. Data governance is no longer a distant concept but a powerful practice that every organization must embrace. Success lies in selecting the right data governance solution. Consider your specific needs—whether it’s robust data lineage tracking offered by tools like Collibra and Talend, user-friendly interfaces from Dataedo and Alation, or cost-effectiveness. Several tools explored in this insight also offer strong security features to safeguard your customer data. Tools like Informatica Axon can assist with data discovery and quality assessment, empowering data stewards. By embracing data governance and leveraging the right tools, you can transform Salesforce data from a raw resource into a strategic asset. This newfound data clarity fuels informed decision-making, fosters customer trust, and drives your organization toward achieving its goals. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

October 1, 2024in Data, Enterprise, Salesforce

28Sep

Data Data Data

With the unprecedented surge in data—expected to grow by 22% this year according to the Salesforce State of Data and Analytics 2023 report—and the rapid evolution of AI, maintaining data quality and security has become more critical than ever. The AI and Information Management 2024 Report highlights that 52% of organizations encountered data quality issues during AI implementation, while 71% expressed serious concerns about data privacy and security in AI deployments. The cornerstone of success in any data-driven initiative is strong data governance, ensuring data quality, trust, and privacy. The report also emphasized that effective data governance maximizes the value of data assets. Beyond compliance and quality control, it democratizes data access across an organization, making it essential for long-term success. This insight explores common challenges undermining Salesforce data quality and outlines how robust data governance can lead to high-quality, reliable data. Challenges to Maintaining Quality Salesforce Data Challenge 1: Data Silos Create Fragmented Customer Information Use Case: In the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) sector, nearly half of companies struggle to collect and integrate the massive amount of data required for AI adoption. Data fragmentation across supply chains, product categories, and SKUs creates silos, leading to inconsistent customer information. For instance, sales and marketing teams might work with different data sets, leading to disjointed customer interactions and ineffective campaigns. This results in missed sales opportunities, inefficient resource use, and poor customer experiences, ultimately weakening strategic decision-making and competitiveness. Solution: Implementing an information lifecycle management system can address data fragmentation. It provides a unified view for managing content across repositories, helping companies maintain a holistic customer view. Challenge 2: Poor Data Quality Erodes Trust Use Case: The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology found that at least 7 out of 100 medical records are mismatched or duplicated. A healthcare organization using Salesforce without proper data governance may face incomplete or inaccurate patient information, resulting in incorrect treatments and inefficient care, which damages patient trust and increases legal risks. Solution: You leverages AI to eliminate duplicate records, ensuring clean and accurate data. It classifies content based on metadata and assigns governance policies to prevent duplication, ensuring high-quality data across systems. Additionally, Backup for Salesforce tools detect suspicious anomalies or potential ransomware activity, proactively preserving data integrity. Challenge 3: Data Growth Increases Cyber Risks Use Case: As 65% of e-commerce organizations aim to become fully data-driven by 2026, increasing data volumes introduce greater risks. Without robust protection strategies, companies face potential data loss and operational disruptions. Solution: Tectonic’s solution offers automatic daily backups and on-demand restores, safeguarding data integrity and minimizing downtime in the event of cyberattacks or data breaches. Building a Strong Data Governance Foundation To overcome these challenges, organizations must adopt a comprehensive approach to data governance. Here are seven essential steps to establish effective Salesforce data governance: Champion Salesforce Data Governance with Tectonic Effective Salesforce data governance requires collaboration across all levels of the organization. With over two decades of experience, Tectonic empowers organizations to enhance their digital operations, mitigate risks, and achieve compliance in a dynamic data landscape. By establishing a strong data governance framework, your organization can confidently navigate the challenges of data growth, security, and quality. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

September 28, 2024in Salesforce

27Sep

Data Governance for the AI Enterprise

Salesforce Introduces Data Governance for the AI Enterprise Salesforce this month unveiled Data Governance for the AI Enterprise, a comprehensive suite of tools designed to help IT teams navigate the growing regulatory landscape surrounding generative AI. Why it matters: As governments worldwide work to implement stricter rules governing the use of AI, like the EU’s AI Act, data governance has become a top priority for businesses. According to Salesforce research, ensuring robust data security and governance is now the leading concern for Chief Data Officers. Cloud Data Security & Privacy SolutionsExplore the new suite: How Salesforce’s Data Governance for the AI Enterprise Can Help: Salesforce’s latest solution is designed to help companies proactively address both current and future regulations. Built on the Salesforce platform and integrated with Data Cloud, the suite offers advanced data management, enhanced security, and privacy features: Salesforce’s perspective:“Data governance is a top priority for every organization deploying AI, especially given the complexity of the regulatory landscape,” said Alice Steinglass, EVP and GM for Salesforce Platform. “Our Data Governance for the AI Enterprise suite equips businesses to tackle these challenges.” Customer success story:“Data encryption is essential to our data governance strategy,” said James Ferguson, Principal Security Architect at AWS. “With Salesforce’s flexible encryption solutions, we can maintain top-tier security while delivering innovative customer experiences.” Availability: For Data Cloud users: Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

September 27, 2024in Data, Enterprise, Generative AI, Hyperforce, Salesforce, Salesforce Shield

25Sep

Data Cloud and Autonomous Agents

Salesforce is building momentum with Data Cloud, the heartbeat of its platform and foundation for Agentforce, fueled by strong business demand for unified data to deliver personalized, contextually relevant, and timely customer experiences across its Customer 360 applications, Flow, analytics, and Agentforce—Salesforce’s groundbreaking suite of autonomous AI agents. This week, Salesforce unveiled a major pivot in its AI strategy during its annual Dreamforce conference. The company is introducing AI tools that can handle tasks without human supervision, alongside a new pricing model. Customers will now pay US per conversation held by Salesforce’s new AI “agents,” which are designed to manage tasks such as customer service and scheduling sales meetings autonomously. This shift in strategy reflects Salesforce’s forward-thinking approach to AI and its potential to transform not only technology but also business models. By focusing on AI agents, Salesforce is responding to a market demand for increased workforce capacity without the need for full-time hires or gig workers—a point emphasized by CEO Marc Benioff during his keynote speech. Building on its predictive Einstein platform, Agentforce represents Salesforce’s next step in AI evolution. “Think of it as the next evolution of our AI wave,” said Muralidhar Krishnaprasad, Salesforce’s president and CTO. “We had AI wave one with Einstein’s predictive capabilities, AI wave two with generative AI copilots, and now we’re entering the age of agents.” Agentforce is designed to augment work by handling tasks across platforms, leveraging Salesforce’s Data Cloud to channel structured and unstructured data into agentic experiences. These agents, powered by the Atlas reasoning engine, use dynamic plans and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) techniques to address real-time customer questions and deliver actionable insights. Salesforce’s AI agents can operate autonomously, supporting businesses by handling a range of customer interactions and tasks with minimal human intervention. Adding to the AI-driven innovations, Salesforce introduced several new Data Cloud advancements that further enhance an organization’s ability to transform customer experiences using data and AI. These include: Data Cloud continues to drive impressive growth, with a 130% YoY increase in paid customers, processing 2.3 quadrillion records in the second quarter alone. Customers like The Adecco Group, Aston Martin, and Air India rely on Data Cloud to unify their data and deliver personalized, real-time customer experiences. For example, Air India uses Data Cloud to integrate data across its loyalty, reservations, and flight systems, allowing it to manage over 550,000 service cases each month. As AI reshapes the industry, Salesforce’s pivot to autonomous agents and a conversation-based pricing model shows its commitment to leading the charge in enterprise AI adoption, with Data Cloud as its driving force. Despite some software vendors struggling to capitalize on AI advancements, Salesforce’s new model positions it to thrive in a market where AI’s impact is just beginning to unfold. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more

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